Chapter 861.1: Ultimate Battle!
Special Thanks to these patrons for their support!
S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Galetron]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Alma S.] [Antonny C.] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]
[Lily J.] [Nevy] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Anasi G.] [Jwyla C.] [Marjoree M.] [Passerby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Anne C.] [Roxanne C.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Debra W] [Smurfinbatik]
T H E S U N
[Kiiayame]
C E L E S T I A L C O N Q U E R O R
[Ava C.] [kuroneko_chan] [Leeyue] [Manon] [Oushna] [Raquel G.] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes] [Woon Li Ying]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
After Xie Hangzhou lost several hundred troops in the forest, his expression grew increasingly grim and unsightly.
If, earlier on, his campaign to suppress the bandits had been more of a dutiful response to orders, with only a minor intention of avenging Min Hongyi, then now, his motives had clearly shifted. He was truly determined to hunt down every one of those cunning enemies and kill them with his own hands!
To dare toy with him, Xie Hangzhou. These people must be tired of living!
From that point forward, he heightened his precautions and even summoned from the city several soldiers who were well-versed in the mystical arts of divination and formation-breaking.
The Eight Trigrams Formation in the forest was eventually broken, and the main force finally made it through this perilous terrain, arriving at the entrance to the village beyond.
A narrow stream connected the canyon to the village, but the wooden bridge spanning it had already been cut down.
Nevertheless, the river itself was not particularly wide, and cutting down new timber to construct a temporary and simple bridge was not a difficult task.
“I’ll leave it to Elder Lu, then.” Xie Hangzhou said.
“Humph!” Elder Lu, still seated on horseback, turned his head slightly and made a subtle hand gesture to the two disciples behind him.
The two disciples immediately understood. Without hesitation, they drew the swords at their waists and, with blinding speed, cut down two large trees. Then, with a single stroke, each tree was cleaved down the middle.
Xie Hangzhou’s deputy summoned several capable soldiers, who quickly tied the logs together with ropes. They embedded the curved sides downward into pre-dug earthen pits and secured either side with long spears to prevent the bridge from tipping over.
This entire process took no more than half an hour, an astonishing feat of efficiency and speed.
However, the warhorses of Jin’s army refused to cross such a precarious and unstable “danger bridge.” Unlike the Black Wind King, who could leap over it with ease, the Jin soldiers had no choice but to dismount and cross the bridge on foot.
One deputy, seeking favor, said with a flattering tone, “I’ve heard that the Black Wind Cavalry horses of the State of Yan are truly formidable. Once we defeat them, I’ll personally capture the Black Wind King and offer him to General Xie.”
Xie Hangzhou did not respond outwardly, but truthfully, he was somewhat intrigued by the idea.
The Black Wind Cavalry were the strongest heavy cavalry across the six states. Not only were the cavalrymen exceptionally skilled in combat, but the horses themselves were rare treasures, chosen from tens of thousands. In particular, each Black Wind King was considered a war god among horses.
When Xie Hangzhou was a young man, he had once had the chance to see Xuanyuan Li’s Black Wind King in person. The sight had left such an impression that he hadn’t been able to sleep for three nights. Even now, the heart-pounding fear of that encounter lingered in his memory.
Of course, he was no longer someone who would be frightened by a mere horse. But if he could one day subdue such a magnificent steed, it would certainly be a fitting testament to his reputation as a hardened general forged through years of battle.
…He just wasn’t sure if His Lordship had his eyes on the Black Wind King as well. If he did, then there would likely be none left for him to claim.
In just that fleeting moment, Xie Hangzhou had already begun mapping out the future ownership of the Black Wind King in his mind.
The Jin army marched into the village.
One of the deputies looked around and remarked, “This village is fairly large. It could easily house several hundred people.” He began issuing orders. “You lot, search every house, one by one!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers took the command and split into two teams, one to search the villagers’ residences, and the other to scout out the camp where the ghost soldiers had supposedly stayed.
The results, however, were disappointing. Aside from a few wild boars that were too large to take away, they didn’t find a single human being.
“They fled?” Xie Hangzhou frowned slightly and summoned the two scouts who had been left behind on duty the night before. “Did either of you notice anything unusual last night?”
Scout A stepped forward and reported, “General, the two of us were stationed at the entrance to Ghost Mountain all night. We can confirm that no one left the mountain through that path.”
Xie Hangzhou casually entered one of the village kitchens and reached his hand into the stove to feel for warmth.
It was cold.
He issued a command, “Check the other stoves as well.”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers checked each one thoroughly, but not a single stove held any residual heat. Given the current weather, if any fires had been lit that morning, there would still be warmth left in the ashes.
Suddenly, another soldier came running over and cupped his fists in salute. “General! There’s something on the eastern hill!”
Xie Hangzhou led his subordinates to the location the deputy had pointed out.
The village was nestled among verdant mountains, and the surface of the surrounding lake sparkled in the light. Ghost Mountain was encircled by water on three sides, with only one point of entry and exit, which was the southern hill.
But at this moment, everyone could see the signs along the shoreline of the eastern hill: numerous footprints, clear marks indicating boats had been docked, and even some scattered belongings of shoes, pouches, and more.
There was even a small boat still moored at the shore. Its hull was leaking, and judging by the freshly splintered break in its wooden planks, the damage was recent.
Combined with the cold stoves, which was evidence that no cooking had taken place that morning, the soldiers couldn’t help but picture in their minds the scene of the villagers fleeing in the dead of night, fumbling in total darkness, dropping items along the way, and in their panic, accidentally damaging one of their boats.
Everything made perfect sense. There was no alternative explanation.
If Min Hongyi were here, he would undoubtedly have led his troops to circle around and pursue the targets from the opposite side of the lake. However, Xie Hangzhou’s mind was far more complex and discerning than that.
“Zhong Cheng.” He called to his deputy general, “What lies across the lake?”
“I’ve never been there myself either.” Zhong Cheng replied. He was a spy that the State of Jin had planted in Pucheng, someone intimately familiar with the terrain of the city, except for Ghost Mountain, which was practically a forbidden zone.
Xie Hangzhou ordered calmly, “Have the boat repaired, and send two men who are strong swimmers across the lake to investigate.”
“Yes, sir!”
This decision by Xie Hangzhou had long been anticipated by Shangguan Qing, and Shangguan Qing wasn’t the least bit concerned about it.
Because there was only one small, rickety boat here, barely large enough to carry two or three people, and the lake itself stretched vast and wide. As one traveled farther, both shores became lined with steep green mountains.
At the end of those lush hills, there was a perilous waterfall, and for anyone unfamiliar with the route, venturing there would almost certainly mean never returning.
Of course, with a mind like Xie Hangzhou’s, he would never rely on just one plan.
As expected, Xie Hangzhou immediately gave additional orders to several of his other deputy generals. “Search the nearby area thoroughly. Comb every hilltop, and pay close attention to hidden caves, secret entrances. Leave no clue unchecked.”
The men received their orders and scattered swiftly in all directions.
Gu Jiao sat quietly at the entrance of a crevice. She already knew that the Jin army had entered the mountain and had also heard the sounds of Shangguan Qing leading the villagers away. At this moment, the Jin soldiers were conducting a thorough search, and it was hard to tell whether they might stumble upon some trace.
Two soldiers from the Jin army parted the bushes outside the narrow crevice. From the outside, it seemed utterly impossible for a person to enter. They prodded inside a few times with their swords, then left in disappointment.
Group after group of Jin soldiers came and went, but none were able to uncover the hidden cave beyond the crevice.
Outside the cave, there were trees and grass; inside, there was food and fresh water. Hunger was not a concern.
Gu Jiao glanced at Xuanyuan Qi, who remained in deep meditation beside her, and continued her seated vigil, guarding him silently.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
To read advance GSPW chapters! Updates 7x a week (daily).
You can read up to 45 advance chapters in our patreon so you should go check it out. ^^
No patreon but want to support us? Then,
OR if you can't support us in money, you can always support us emotionally -just hope into . Hehehe~
--------------------------------------------
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PROJECT:
Description:
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn't finished his lines yet though…